Home-owners have to stay one step ahead of criminals all the time, and security practitioner Louis Grobler is constantly coming up with new creative ways to fight crime.
“Your home is usually secure when you’re at home and if you have a good security system. However, the real problems begin when you’re away from home. Although having a security system is a great way to protect your belongings, there are some ways you can improve on that through sheer common sense,” said Louis.
Here are some of his ideas:
• Create an illusion:
A dark, empty-looking house is a prime target for burglars and thieves of all sorts. For that very reason, you need to create the illusion that the house is still occupied and that people are inside, in order to discourage unlawful entry before it happens. Add signs warning trespassers that they’re being recorded on video and that there are security systems present. Use lights with motion detectors to minimise the chance of burglars finding hiding places.
• Use good locks:
All exterior doors should have deadbolts installed to prevent any chance of easily breaking them down. Make sure the bolt is made of hardened steel and that the door frame is strong enough to support it.
• Never place any keys outside your home:
Forget keys under the doormat, on the door frame, in potted plants and so on. This is a security risk and a liability you do not need when you are trying to protect your home against illegal entry. Thieves will find your keys, since most of the locations are not that hard to figure out. Make them work hard to enter your home if that is what they intend to do.
• Secure your patio doors:
You can do this by placing a bar in the bottom track of the door to prevent it opening. This is a low-tech but easy to implement way of locking a door or window of that kind.
• Keep garage doors closed:
This should be done at all times, except when you are entering or exiting the garage with your vehicle. An inner door gives easy access to the rest of the house, so make sure its securely locked. You can also install a garage-door spring contact connected to your alarm system to help secure that entry point.
• Never leave notes:
Forget about leaving notes, such as “Be back in an hour” for family members or anyone who is supposed to meet you when you go out. All these notes really do is advise anyone approaching your home that the place is ripe for the picking. Always arm your security system when you leave your home, even if it is for just ‘ten minutes’.
• Subdue/mute the phones:
Disconnecting the phone or turning the volume right down to nothing is a good way to keep listening thieves from finding out you’re not there. Sometimes thieves with access to your personal information will call your home – and electronic voice messages tip them off to your absence too!
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